Racism is sometimes subtle and sometimes it is blunt and in your face. You may encounter it during a rally where those clad in Nazi uniforms are shouting slogans of white power, or you may see it during a rally of those belonging to the Re-Conquista movement who are claiming that anyone not of Mexican decent is second best. You may find racism on the street where people cross the street to not get in contact with members of a certain race or on the playground where little boys and girls are unceremoniously yanked away from the sandbox to prevent them from playing with little boys and girls or a different color. Sadly, you can also find racism in the churches. You might stick your head in the door only to note that the congregation is entirely black or entirely white, and depending on your own skin color you are wondering if you will stick out like a peppercorn in the saltshaker.


Racism has been found in churches for many years, yet it is imperative to remember that the founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ, never once advocated it. As a matter of fact, His summary of the Ten Commandments broke down very simply to love God with all your heart and soul and strength, and then to love your neighbor as yourself. He even gave an example about who your neighbor is, and by using the parable of the Good Samaritan He showed beyond a doubt that loving your neighbor is to transcend racial, social, and status barriers. Later on, one of the greats of the faith, the Apostle Paul, traveled throughout the world and time and again counseled, begged, and challenged the believers to live together in harmony and to not let old faith barrier, such as Jew versus Gentile, creep into their newfound faith – Christianity.


Yet how did Christianity get hijacked to excuse the racism of slavery and segregation? How was it possible that the Bible was used to prove to blacks and whites alike that it was God’s divine will for one race to be superior over another, especially in light of the fact that the founder of the religion spoke out against it?


It is important to note at this point that any racism perpetrated under the guise of Christianity is not the type of religious worship ordained by Jesus Christ, but instead the man-made version of a watered down faith perpetuated by those who ascend the steps to the pulpit or altar on Sunday morning. In short, if someone is telling you – albeit in the name of Christ – that racism is God willed and ordained, and therefore excused by the Most High, she or he is following a god other than the Christian God. They may have heard about Jesus and perhaps even read the Bible, yet deep inside they were never able to allow God to take over control of their lives, their attitudes, their prejudices, and their way of living, instead holding on to the control and permitting old attitudes, learned hatred, and acquired biases to poison their souls. The Bible counsels us to show them their error and if no result is achieved to take one or two other with us. If still there is no change, then it is best to not have anything to do with such a person.